#SocialCafe: Holiday Gift Idea... New Book by @AngEngland
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Welcome to the Chat at our weekly Wed 3pm EST (8p GMT)
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Getting ready to join you for this cool event
Great Book! What a perfect gift for the Holidays
Angela Hi. What are your thoughts on self-publishing? I am writing my first book
Thank you! I've been very encouraged by the feedback so far. I think there's something for every level.
Join us with Author Angela England on Tweet Chat We are chatting now. Come on and enjoy a little time...
http:// fb.me/1KpwuPOfe fe
This Chat hour we will chat with about her new book
Hope everyone is having a blessed day.
Welcome Angela! So excited to have you here!
So excited to be here and be part of the community. Honored - thank you!
Tell me more about your new book, plus can we be friends on Facebook. I can't seem to find ya.
RT : So excited to be here and be part of the community. Honored - thank you!
Thank you. You, too, Carla :) RT : Hope everyone is having a blessed day.
RT : Welcome Angela! So excited to have you here!
During holiday season is "giving back" and chatting abt gift ideas.. today... ‘s new book
I love the line up of questions you put together for today. :-)
Glad to have such an inspiring lady, as u! MT : So excited to be here and be part of the community. Honored - TY!
So glad to be here to hear talk about her great book.
RT : Welcome to the Chat at our weekly Wed 3pm EST (8p GMT)
RT : Welcome Angela! So excited to have you here!
MT : This Chat hour we will chat with about her new book
Thank you. Considering what a novice (is there an experience level lower than novice?) I am on backyard farming...
I have been hearing from people who are planning to give my book for Christmas and I think it's a cool idea.
The lifestyle of increasing self-sufficiency has so many benefits.
Thanks for joining us, Susan. Seriously, I really enjoyed getting to know during the interv
LOL! When my MIL 1st married my FIL they planted potatoes and he told her she could harvest the next day.
Q1 Do you find the growing costs of groceries impacting your budget? Ever think about backyard farming?
It would make a terrific Christmas gift. What a cool way to start the new year.
Thank you so much for coming!
Great gift idea! Thts cool! MT : I have been hearing from people who are planning to give my book for Christmas
Angela where can I purchase your book?
Susan of wrote the homeschool companion guide that coordinates with the book.
ROFL RT : LOL! ...they planted potatoes and he told her she could harvest the next day.
RT : Q1 Do you find the growing costs of groceries impacting your budget? Ever think about backyard farming?
RT : The lifestyle of increasing self-sufficiency has so many benefits.
A1 I definitely think that grocery costs are a huge concern for families today. Average for family my size is $1200 per month!
How big is your beautiful family? :)
It's really good too! RT : Susan of wrote the homeschool companion guide that coordinates w/book.
Absolutely, every time I go to the store prices on fresh produce has risen.
A1 But our monthly grocery bill is about $400 per month on average - a little more when I was buying formula for Vivian
A1 The cost saving from growing your own food is enormous.
Q1 spend summer canning and freezing lol love it
I have 5 kids ages 8 and under. But my 8 year old can out-eat my husband! LOL
RT : Q1 Do you find the growing costs of groceries impacting your budget? Ever think about backyard farming?
I think I need to talk to you about how you do food for your family for $400/mo.
RT : During holiday season is "giving back" and chatting abt gift ideas.. today... Ôs new book
A1 Yes, groceries (and everything) was much less expensive years ago..
Q1 YES! we have a community garden Its great times with the kids!
Angela, where does one start with growing their own vegetables from dirt that has never been worked?
Absolutely! And with conventionally grown foods too which isn't as healthy as homegrown/organic
That's marvelous! It makes a HUGE difference to put food away during the summer.
Isn't it crazy, ? I remember getting everything we needed for $7/wk when we got married in 2005
Great thanks. I will share with my Facebook list too. Glad to help you.
We raise our own meat instead of buying it. I haven't bought chicken in 2+ years.
Yeah, definitely! RT : I think I need to talk to you about how you do food for your family for $400/mo.
I detail in the book but you definitely want to have your soil tested to get a picture of what you have.
Cool! RT : Susan of wrote the homeschool companion guide that coordinates with the book.
When starting from scratch, find out what your soil NEEDS so you don't waste money on amendments unnecessarily.
We are also a homeschooling family
I'm still not a pro at canning but I have canning parties with my mother-in-law.
We homeschool and I graduated from homeschooling so I really wanted to my book to have the companion piece. :-)
been doing it for years but still learning lol
I loved working with on the homeschool companion guide. She is so knowledgeable because she lives it.
If you are buying the best quality fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat it can really add up. Cheaper to produce yourself!
If you are buying the best quality fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat it can really add up. Cheaper to produce yourself!
We're chatting with and about . Join us at
In fact in the book I share research that showed for every $1 invested in a community garden, $6 of produce was harvested.
So true. I remember decades ago, when I did mostly produce in my diet and the $50/mo grocery store bill was extreme
Thanks! I was afraid some of my methods wouldn't be "fancy" enough but maybe that is the benefit. :-)
I like the community garden idea. Great way for novices to contribute to the teamwork and learn.
Yep! We don't even buy meat... all whole/fresh foods. So expensive, especially this time of year.
That's what my mother in law says too!
Yes, she is truly an expert. That is so cool that you have the expertise to create the companion curriculum
It's also a great way for someone who doesn't have a yard to have space for gardening.
Q2 Can you think of other cost saving methods to help defray rising costs?
I find the savings to be most noticeable with gourmet veggies and herbs. Fresh basil at the store is SO pricey.
RT : Q2 Can you think of other cost saving methods to help defray rising costs?
Absolutely. Keeping it simple and consistent gets things done.
Q2 replace some meats with other proteins
She just jumped into the chat but is a blog with tons of frugal living tips. :-)
She just jumped into the chat but is a blog with tons of frugal living tips. :-)
I totally love the idea of an organic life. I live in Alabama where it's mild most of the year. I see cabbages planted locally
A2 One thing to keep in mind is that seasonal eating is going to save you more money because there's an abundance.
Oh, I have always wished for a community garden. There was a plot in our old neighborhood that no one used...
Beans, quinoa, etc. Yes! RT : Q2 replace some meats with other proteins
Canning parties? Oh, that sounds fun!
A2 When to run washing machines etc., when on peak electrical plans :)
We do that too. Lots of beans and nuts consumed in this house!
RT : Q2 Can you think of other cost saving methods to help defray rising costs?
A2 Also don't think you have to buy the most expensive things. Scrap lumber + spare wire = $10 chicken coop.
MT : A2 1 thing to keep in mind is that seasonal eating is going to save you more money because theres an abundance
yes! Your book is motivating me. Totally going to plant an herb garden this spring.
Find ways to repurpose and reuse instead of buying it. Ask yourself Do I Need it? Can I Make it?
A2 turn off computers when not in use
RT : We're chatting with and about . Join us at
More fun to do gardening chores with a group. :-)
$4-per-sprig basil for $1 seed packets? Easy math there!
RT : yes! Your book is motivating me. Totally going to plant an herb garden this spring.
Stay tuned for topic announcement about another holiday gift idea next week…
I have to work on that. I probably would get more done around the house, too! (turning off computers)
We can't produce our own meat but we buy from local farmers whenever possible.
RT : yes! Your book is motivating me. Totally going to plant an herb garden this spring.
RT : yes! Your book is motivating me. Totally going to plant an herb garden this spring.
Plan frugal meals - These $7 dinners for example feed a family of four for $7 or less.
http:// ow.ly/g3be0 s
RT : A2 turn off computers when not in use
I'm horrible about leaving my computer on.
RT : We can't produce our own meat but we buy from local farmers whenever possible.
RT : Stay tuned for topic announcement about another holiday gift idea next weekÉ
Local is so great. We've never sold any of our homegrown meat but it sure is good compared to store bought.
With a backyard farm nothing goes to waste. Scraps go to the chicken who lay eggs and feed you.
Compost goes to the garden which produces plants that feed you.
Once you get the system going it doesn't need an extreme amount of input to continue the cycle.
RT : Once you get the system going it doesn't need an extreme amount of input to continue the cycle.
To me herbs and fruit seem to be the most cost effective ways to save money in the garden.
:) RT : With a backyard farm nothing goes to waste. Scraps go to the chicken who lay eggs and feed you.
Backyard Farming is a fantastic way to teach kids responsibility and to follow-through.
I like to try to line dry towels too. Put the one you want to use in the bathroom while you shower and it won't be "crispy".
RT : Once you get the system going it doesnt need an extreme amount of input to continue the cycle.
Excellent benefit! RT : Backyard Farming is a fantastic way to teach kids responsibility and to follow-through.
It's a LOT of info to stick in a Kindle. ;-)
Love growing/drying my own herbs! RT : herbs/fruit seem 2be the most cost effective ways 2 save money in the garden.
We rarely through anything out. Broken fence panels that won't hold livestock will trellis veggies.
Probably better read this one the old-fashioned way, huh?
RT : Backyard Farming is a fantastic way to teach kids responsibility and to follow-through.
Oh my... when you said line dry, I was thinking "crispy" and then you gave an awesome solution! re: shower
Q3 What do you grow (i.e. house plants, corn fields, dustable plastic plants)?
nothing better than the smell of line dried clothing, bedding, towels. Ahh!
Ok.. you seriously think of everything. And, again, I say, I'm inspired!
Personally I would suggest it yes. 400 + pages w/garden journal printables, etc.
RT : Q3 What do you grow (i.e. house plants, corn fields, dustable plastic plants)?
RT : nothing better than the smell of line dried clothing, bedding, towels. Ahh!
Yeah that's the complaint. It doesn't matter for blankets and for towels - an easy fix!
I like paper better anyway, if it's something I'm likely to refer to often. Congrats on your book!
A3 I really like growing herbs, as I mentioned before, and many of the herbs are also perennials.
A3 Which harkens back to Q2 - Growing perennial plants is a HUGE savings because you plant it ONCE and harvest yearly.
RT : I like paper better anyway, if its something Im likely to refer to often. Congrats on your book!
Q3 corn, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onions, okra, zuccini, cucumbers, apples, pears,etc
I give a list of perennial plants and fruits in the book but my favorite is Asparagus. SO expensive in stores but easy.
Yes I do too - tend to get novels and "fluff" on Kindle and reference books in real life.
A3: almost all our fruits and veggies also raise chickens, pigs and cows lol
A3 Blackberries do really well here, we love tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, beans, cucumbers, sunflowers, etc
A3 Uh, I go for those plastic types. I do not tend to have a green thumb.
Elderberry grows wild so I took some saplings from the side of the road and brought them to the ranch for yearly harvests
RT : Q3 What do you grow (i.e. house plants, corn fields, dustable plastic plants)?
I love asparagus. Especially when it's roasted in a little olive oil
I think that's why so many old-fashioned activities were often done in groups.
Asparagus has deep roots and will come back year after year. You make your money back the first year with asparagus.
We grow mostly greens and herbs, but sometimes sneak in some cukes and squash. Very small garden.
Yummy re: asparagus roasted in olive oil
I love that! We raise our own chickens and goats as well. My inlaws have cows for meat.
RT : wow! :) gotta love !!
I'm dying to get out to 25 acres so I can get a milk cow.
I love social media, but there is something to be said about the way they did it before internet.
RT : Im dying to get out to 25 acres so I can get a milk cow.
Strawberries can be tucked into the landscape - anywhere you would plant a small flowering plant like phlox or vinca
Especially alpine strawberries that will produce throughout the entire summer. Easy to add to "normal" landscapes.
Love our Jersey Ms. Molly lol
The difference between home grown strawberries and store bought is HUGE. So much flavor.
More flavor. Less poison. It's a total win/win.
Oh jealous! That's the breed I want! *sigh* You have to do a post about her on UntrainedHousewife so I can dream
Edible landscaping techniques are another great way to save money.
If you're already going to plant something by the mailbox - why not make it something you can eat?
My 5yr old grows strawberries in a big pot every year. Such a great experience for him!
Q4 What does “backyard farming” bring to your mind?
RT : If you're already going to plant something by the mailbox - why not make it something you can eat?
What is it that makes the store bought less tasty? Is it processing? Or, time since harvest?
Can't stay but asking- how do you keep deer & rabbits from eating all your food? Heartbreaking after all that work.
RT : Edible landscaping techniques are another great way to save money.
I used to think of weird Amish hippy-freaks. Then I moved to Oklahoma and met my husband. Lol!
Q4 Long fun filled days with kids playin in the dirt!!
Oh my! That reminds me of when my hubby bought expensive roses and planted by door. Next day, deer ate them...
Our dogs keep the rabbits away so definitely consider a guard dog.
Q4: Kids, mud pies, green beans, and lots of "oh crap I killed it again"!
As for deer - there is a double fencing system that creates a "moat" around the garden that is highly effective
q4 dirty hands and feet with smiling faces!! lol
SOCIAL LIFE :: Once you get the system going it doesn't need an extreme amount of input to continue the cycle.
A4 Growing your own vegetables and watching tomatoes on vines
Take total ownership of what you feed your family, teach your children where their food comes from.
Use the moat area as a chicken run and you've got pest control and fresh eggs too!
RT : q4 dirty hands and feet with smiling faces!! lol
RT : Q4: Kids, mud pies, green beans, and lots of "oh crap I killed it again"!
RT : Q4 What does Òbackyard farmingÓ bring to your mind?
And, it doesn't come from the TV dinner box. lol
RT : Take total ownership of what you feed your family.....
When I sit down to a plate of food and everything on it we raised ourselves?
Steak, potatoes, pickled asparagus and a small salad ALL from our own efforts? Oh man....that is amazing.
RT : When I sit down to a plate of food and everything on it we raised ourselves?
RT : When I sit down to a plate of food and everything on it we raised ourselves?
LOL RT : Q4: Kids, mud pies, green beans, and lots of "oh crap I killed it again"!
RT : When I sit down to a plate of food and everything on it we raised ourselves?
RT : Edible landscaping techniques are another great way to save money.
RT : Edible landscaping techniques are another great way to save money.
RT : SOCIAL LIFE: Once you get the system going it doesnt need an extreme amount of input to continue the cycle.
It doesn't happen every day. But it's happening more and more as we become more intentional as a family.
snappin green beans while watchin kids in the pond! lol
Do you guys save your beans for seeds also?
Oh, I can hear that, even in your tweet! RT : snappin green beans while watchin kids in the pond! lol
I do think of a lot of family togetherness. Backyard Farming is something that IS a family activity.
And the kids don't fight about the food as much because they had a hand in producing it.
Never thought of saving some of the beans to use as seeds. I did try to do some celery from store stalks
RT : I do think of a lot of family togetherness. Backyard Farming is something that IS a family activity.
They get a sense of it's value beyond the monetary because they WORKED for it! Literally!
RT : They get a sense of its value beyond the monetary because they WORKED for it! Literally!
I've found that meals the kids would normally snub got eaten if they made it themselves!
That is priceless... passing on quality values to kids
Kids r more likely 2 eat! RT : They get a sense of ivalue beyond the monetary because they WORKED for it! Literally!
Yes exactly! They planted, harvested, cooked so eating is a given!
Don't forget to share about the amazing bonuses w/purchase I have for pre-Christmas orders.
http:// bit.ly/XTUFuR
One always leads to the other! LOL RT : q4 dirty hands and feet with smiling faces!! lol
RT : Don't forget to share about the amazing bonuses w/purchase I have for pre-Christmas orders.
http:// bit.ly/XTUFuR
I used to think that backyard farming meant less freedom but now I realize it's the opposite
>>> Gift Idea and more! RT : ... amazing bonuses w/purchase I have for pre-Christmas orders.
http:// bit.ly/XTUFuR
I have freedom from food prices, recalls, safety issues, other people's rule-breaking, strikes at the harbor, etc.
always gotta save some seed stock lol
Thank you for joining us, Angela for our chat
LIKE RT : Ive found that meals the kids would normally snub got eaten if they made it themselves!
Thanks for having me and thanks to everyone who jumped in to participate! :-) I love talking gardening + food.
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